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HELB (Higher Education Loan Board) is a financial institution that the government of Kenya formed to offer loans and bursaries to Kenyan students in higher learning institutions.
The students may be pursing undergraduate Programmes, degree, diploma Craft and artisan courses from approved universities or TVETS institutions in Kenya.
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However, it should be noted that for one to qualify for HELB you must be assigned by KUCCPS (Kenya Universities and College Central Placements Service).
These loans are given on yearly basis both to regular and self sponsored students. Regular students are placed by the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service, (KUCCPS).
HELB gives students money based on the level of education they will attend. The number of loans one is eligible for depends on the program duration i.e. one is given loan 4 times for a 4 year program.
Students are advised that the loans should be used mainly for:
- Tuition
- Books and stationery
- Accommodation and subsistence
How much does HELB give TVET student?
The loan awarded ranges from a minimum of Ksh.40, 000 and a maximum of Ksh.60, 000.
According to the new funding model unveiled by the president of Kenya on 3rd may 2023 which the main aim was to address the challenges that public universities and TVET colleges were facing, loan will depend on your level of need which are classified as follows; vulnerable, extremely needy students and less needy students.
For those placed by Kenya University and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS), the loan amount is split to cater for both Tuition fee and Upkeep while the Self sponsored students, the money is sent directly to the university once a year as tuition fees.
A standard amount of Ksh4, 000 for Government sponsored students only is deducted from the loan awarded and disbursed to the university per semester for tuition [total Ksh8, 000] and the rest is sent to the applicant’s bank account as upkeep.
An Administrative Fee of Ksh500 per year is charged on the loan awarded and it is therefore deducted from the disbursed loan. The loan attracts interest rate of 4% and a ledger fees of Kshs. 1,000 per year.
A limited number of needy government sponsored students receive bursary of between Ksh4, 000 and Ksh8, 000 per year. The Bursary is paid to the university.
Loan repayment commences one year upon completion of studies or as deemed fit by HELB. The loan is repayable up to a maximum of 120 months.
However, one can make voluntary payments before or after completion of studies to reduce the loan balance.
How will I know if I qualify for HELB?
To qualify for the HELB loan, you have to be a student pursuing a certificate, Diploma and higher National Diploma course in:
- Select public universities
- Public National polytechnic
- And approved TVET colleges under the ministry of education
How much do I get from HELB depending on my level of need?
Fee for Diploma courses in TVETS is now standardized at Kshs. 67189 per year.
Below we will be calculating the percentage you benefit with from HELB as a TVET student.
Vulnerable students
As a vulnerable student, you are entitled to 18% HELB loan and 82% scholarship.
Therefore, your fees are paid as follows and you pay nothing at all.
- 18% HELB =Kshs. 12,094.02
- 82% scholarship = Kshs. 55,094.98
- Total paid by the government=Kshs. 67189
Extremely needy students
Again, if you are an extremely needy student as we had said above all your fee will be paid by the government as follows:
- 30% HELB= kshs.20,156.7
- 70% scholarship =Kshs. 47,032.3
- Total paid by the government=Kshs. 67,189
Less needy students
Lastly, when it comes to less needy students, the allocation of the funds is different since you have to pay very small amount for yourself.
To better guide you, see below:
- 55% HELB=Kshs 36,953.95
- 38% scholarship=Kshs 25,531.82
- Total paid by the government=Kshs 62,485.77
- 7% self (what you pay for yourself) =Kshs 4703.23
- Total=Kshs 67,189
How to apply for HELB you can refer to this link:How to apply for TVET HELB loan
You can also apply other types of loans from HELB.
- Jielimishe Loan (for salaried students)
- HELB Postgraduate Scholarship
- Training Revolving Fund (TRF)
- Afya Elimu Loans
- Constituency Education Fund
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How do you identify the classification of students according to vulnerable, needy and extremely needy